This paper addresses interface design issues inside a physical space. The papers presents an innovative design process that allows the user to control an ambient space from a small suitcase. The project offers elegant solutions – suitcase, ambient pen, multiple screens - to physical elements of space that are often difficult to implement - wall, window, ceiling, screen. The paper is also remarkable in defining universal parameters for space– foreground and background, calm, context specific, customization – task space, communication space, and awareness space. The Ambient Mediated Environment project can be helpful to other spatial design research looking for ways to define interactions in space. I am left with a few questions and comments. Do you know examples or domains of application for personal design environments? Do you see any applications in office furniture design? What current trends or concepts for interior design could integrate this kind of project? The interface with architectural design needs also to be explored on many levels including lighting, sounds, textures, acoustic, temperature, air flow, smell.... See the experimentations of 19 th century Huysmans. Space is not all harmony, it is also the place for frictions, collisions and clashes. Although adding more complexity to the project may blur the lines of its existing clarity, it may make your project more real, more multi-dimensional by its acceptance of contradictions and conflicts.

Comments from Reviewer No.4

Main Contribution: Describes an augmented reality technology platform with some personalisation and local context awareness. Scenarios of use are described to illustrate the technology.

Comments to Authors: The paper is a limited technology description with no evaluation, with no evidence that user's want or can use the ambient room devices. Problems to be addressed (a) The description of how the technology works is poor. (b) The notifier, trigger is simple and involves not real monitoring just a simple timer. (c) The illustrative scenario shows potential usability problem, the actions of the ambient pen appear to be context dependent p 6- but there is no way for the user to predict effect of actions such as take out of put back into the suitcase. Why should information floating on the wall be visible or useful? How does it help reminding any better than MS task manager? (d) State event interpretation rules are not specified- how does the system know when to communicate sketches to Kitty- p6 end as apposed to set up a video link ? (e) The devices do not extend standard CSCW functionality, besides introducing tangible TUI style interaction that has not been evaluated. (f) The device TUI interaction is not clear- e.g. what are concaves – docking platforms? (g) No requirements analysis or user evaluations has been attempted so this looks like technology looking for users rather than serious attempt to improve interactive technology.